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Going to give Trapping a try!

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Doc Mentor

Doc

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Trapping was one of the ways that I bought my school clothes, back in the dark ages when I was a kid. I used to go to school smelling like a muskrat....lol. I was hooked on the challenges. I had a grandfather who trapped, and we partnered up and ran a hell of a long trapline (a couple hundred traps). The prices weren't any better then, but the money went a lot farther. I was buying all kinds of stuff with my fur money. 

Trapping had a lot of American heritage and history involved with it, and I think that was the main reason I got into it. There is a lot of matching of wits with the critters. A trapper has to have some very serious knowledge of woods lore and animal habits.

What animals are you mostly going after?

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Steve D Experienced

Steve D

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I wish you good luck but have to say the current conditions are the worst...especially if you are targeting canines.

I enjoy trapping when the conditions are right and around here they haven't been good for a couple of months. 

Water trappers can probably do ok but I doubt land trappers are having much luck.

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bugsNbows Collaborator

bugsNbows

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I used to run trap lines back when I was in school. I remember my first mink catch. Totally exciting, but boy do they stink. I remember we got $35 for it (back in the 60’s). The muskrats did not pay that much but we caught lots.

Good luck with your project.

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Doc Mentor

Doc

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Cubby sets or dirt-hole sets or what? What size traps? You can get "pull-outs" if a big old coon gets caught and the trap is too small. Sometimes a drag is a more reliable way to anchor the traps because they don't have something solid to pull against.

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First-light Grand Master

First-light

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  On 1/14/2024 at 7:44 PM, Doc said:

Cubby sets or dirt-hole sets or what? What size traps? You can get "pull-outs" if a big old coon gets caught and the trap is too small. Sometimes a drag is a more reliable way to anchor the traps because they don't have something solid to pull against.

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So I've been setting up against trees and big logs. Cubby sets. Trap is anchored by a wire. Changed bait to sardines today. Not having any luck. May move some traps this week not sure though. 

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Doc Mentor

Doc

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Sardines are a great bait for coons, skunks, possums, and a lot of other critters. Strong scent and a fishy smell. Works good.

The best time for success is usually the first day or two. You are probably right to relocate the traps. Look around for sign....Scat, trails, tracks, etc. With this cold weather that has just set in, the critters are not going to be super active, and in some cases not active at all. However, foxes and coyotes will be on the prowl.

Any stolen bait?

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airedale Grand Master

airedale

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One of the craziest things I had happen trapping, had a trap wise Fox digging up the trap around a hole set. An old timer showed me how to set a triangular triple trap set around the hole to catch trap wise culprits, theory was while digging up one trap carelessness would make for a wrong move and get a foot caught in one of the other two traps set nearby.

Checking the triple set one morning I found a Cottontail Rabbit got caught in one trap which apparently caught the attention of a Great Horned Owl who swooped down on the Rabbit and ended up stepping on and getting himself caught in one of the other traps, that was a three ringed circus.

By the way the triple set was successful for me several times on trap wise Reds.

Al

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Doc Mentor

Doc

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  On 1/15/2024 at 2:48 PM, airedale said:

One of the craziest things I had happen trapping, had a trap wise Fox digging up the trap around a hole set. An old timer showed me how to set a triangular triple trap set around the hole to catch trap wise culprits, theory was while digging up one trap carelessness would make for a wrong move and get a foot caught in one of the other two traps set nearby.

Checking the triple set one morning I found a Cottontail Rabbit got caught in one trap which apparently caught the attention of a Great Horned Owl who swooped down on the Rabbit and ended up stepping on and getting himself caught in one of the other traps, that was a three ringed circus.

By the way the triple set was successful for me several times on trap wise Reds.

Al

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How do you get a great horned owl out of a trap without getting pecked to death?

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airedale Grand Master

airedale

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  On 1/18/2024 at 1:35 PM, Doc said:

How do you get a great horned owl out of a trap without getting pecked to death?

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My trapline dog kept his attention and I used my jacket to cover him up and pin him down so I could step on the release. With those big glaring eyes he was scary looking but he never tried to bite me although he had his mouth gaping and that sharp beak looking formidable, I was more worried about him hooking me with his claws which are huge and strong.

Al

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First-light Grand Master

First-light

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Unfortunately I lost a coyote. I'm learning and made a big mistake. I attached the trap to a blow down. The wire I used was not strong enough to hold this animal. He destroyed the set and took off with the trap. Lesson learned I feel really bad about it. Tracks were everywhere around the set. Fixed all the other traps. 

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